A packed Formby Beach on the warmest day of the year so far (Image: Andrew Teebay)

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A Formby resident also got in touch with the ECHO and said a woman had knocked on her door asking to park on her driveway as the pavements were full - despite the family living a mile away from the beach.

She said: "Formby is the busiest I’ve ever seen it - including sunny bank holiday weekends when we aren’t in lockdown.

"A woman’s just knocked and asked if she can park on our drive because the pavements are full and we’re a mile from the beach.

"Can’t blame people for wanting to enjoy the sun, but the bypass is backed up to Thornton so god help anyone who needs an ambulance or police assistance.

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Current government guidance said people are now free to spend as much time outdoors as they wish to, providing they stick to social distancing advice and keep two metres apart from others.

People are also now able to meet up with one other person who doesn’t live in their household - again as long as they follow the two metre rule - and can even spend time sunbathing and enjoying a picnic.

However Sefton Council urged people to stay away from the coastline.

They said the spaces are unable to cope with a high level of visitors, so spending time at them could put people at risk of spreading and catching the coronavirus.

Sefton Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing Ian Moncur said the message is not what the local authority would usually tell the public, however due to the coronavirus pandemic safety is paramount.

He said: “It’s not the message you expect to see on a postcard, or what Sefton Council would usually be telling the public, but at this time we need people to think about their own and others’ safety, as well as the wellbeing of our communities and Council staff.

“Our beaches are tempting but they are not able to cope with high level of visitors at the moment. Beach car parks are closed and parking is limited. Public toilets remain closed, bins are not in use and there no life guard patrols.

Cllr Moncur also referenced previous data, which showed Merseyside has a significantly higher death rate than England and the rest of the North West, as another reason to take extra precaution.

He added: “Recently, data showed the Merseyside region as having a higher death rate than England and the rest of the North West, and it remains important that people stay home as much as possible and maintain the effort to reduce transmission of this dangerous virus.

“We would also ask local people who are travelling to their nearby beaches to park considerately and ensure there is access for emergency vehicles at all times.”